"Battlefield 3 leaps ahead of the competition with the power of Frostbite™ 2, the next instalment of DICE’s cutting-edge game engine. This state-of-the-art technology is the foundation on which Battlefield 3 is built, delivering superior visual quality, a grand sense of scale, massive destruction, dynamic audio and incredibly lifelike character animations. As bullets whiz by, walls crumble, and explosions throw you to the ground, the battlefield feels more alive and interactive than ever before.

In Battlefield 3, players step into the role of the elite U.S. Marines where they will experience heart-pounding single player missions and competitive multiplayer actions ranging across diverse locations from around the globe including Paris, Tehran and New York"

Battlefield 3: Back to KarkandWhat it is: An entire themed expansion pack the size of Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Vietnam.Where to get: You will be eligible to download this expansion pack (once it is released) if you pre-order Battlefield 3: Limited Edition at Origin or at any retailer all over the world.Available: The release date of Back to Karkand is not yet announced. This expansion pack is not on the disc and is not available on the launch date of the base game. Everyone (pre-orderers and those who buy it separately) will be able to start playing Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand at the same date.Cost: At no extra charge with every pre-order of Battlefield 3: Limited Edition. You will be able to buy it separately for $14,99 if you don't pre-order (release date not yet announced).More info: In this blog post.

Physical Warfare PackWhat it is: A set of three time-based exclusive items and one early weapon unlock for Battlefield 3.Where to get: By pre-ordering Battlefield 3: Limited Edition on Origin or at select retailers all over the world.Available: Day 1 if you pre-order. You will get access to this content at no extra charge at a later date if you don't pre-order (date to be announced)Cost: At no extra charge with your pre-order at Origin and select retailers.More info: In this blog post.

SPECACT Kit UpgradeWhat it is: A set of 8 multiplayer skins, one for each class and side in Battlefield 3.Where to get: At select retailers all over the world when you pre-order Battlefield 3: Limited Edition.Available: Day 1.Cost: At no extra charge with your pre-order at select retailers.

Dog Tag PackWhat it is: A set of 10 unique in-game dog tags to choose from. Dog tags in Battlefield 3 serve as your in-game signature, displayed on screen every time you defeat an enemy. You can also claim the dog tag of your enemies via skillful stealth knife takedowns. This pre-order exclusive pack gives you 10 unique dog tag designs to complement the standard range in the game.Where to get: At select retailers all over the world when you pre-order Battlefield 3: Limited Edition.Available: Day 1.Cost: At no extra charge with your pre-order at select retailers.More info: In this blog post.

Avatar Battlefield 3 GearWhat it is: Battlefield 3 gear for your console avatar.Where to get: At select retailers all over the world when you pre-order Battlefield 3: Limited Edition.Available: Day 1.Cost: At no extra charge with your pre-order at select retailers.

Shotgun and Beret for Battlefield Play4FreeWhat it is: An 870S shotgun and a beret for in-game use in our play-for-free title Battlefield Play4Free.Where to get: By pre-ordering Battlefield 3: Limited Edition on Origin.Available: Day 1.Cost: At no extra charge with your pre-order on Origin.More info: In this blog post.

»Features«

Campaign Consists of 12 missions

Missions take place over different locations using different characters

Battlefield 3 is the latest game in development by DICE. It was officially confirmed June 10, 2009 during the William Blair Growth Stock Conference, with rumors surfacing as early as 2006. Including the engine, development time is estimated to be three to four years.

The title has been confirmed as multiplatform, however the PC version is the lead platform and is assured to be up to the previous standard. This version is being developed around DirectX 11 (DX10 is supported, but not DX9) and 64-bit OS' under the new overhauled Frostbite 2 game engine. Console versions are being developed around the same engine.

Features

Battlefield 3 has a long list of appealing features for fans old and new. The most important bits: 64-player matches (on PC), a new engine which pushes the limits of consoles and PCs, a single player and co-op campaign, vehicles, prone, spotting, Rush, and destruction.

Battlefield 3 is the latest game in development by DICE. It was officially confirmed June 10, 2009 during the William Blair Growth Stock Conference, with rumors surfacing as early as 2006. Including the engine, development time is estimated to be three to four years.

The title has been confirmed as multiplatform, however the PC version is the lead platform and is assured to be up to the previous standard. This version is being developed around DirectX 11 (DX10 is supported, but not DX9) and 64-bit OS' under the new overhauled Frostbite 2 game engine. Console versions are being developed around the same engine.

Features

Battlefield 3 has a long list of appealing features for fans old and new. The most important bits: 64-player matches (on PC), a new engine which pushes the limits of consoles and PCs, a single player and co-op campaign, vehicles, prone, spotting, Rush, and destruction.

Contents

Spot everything forever, and spot before you kill (Q on PC; select/back on console).

If you are first on the list in your squad and have a star next to your name, this means you are a squad leader. As such, you MUST mark objectives (Q on PC; back/select on console) to inform your squadmates of where to go. It also racks up plenty of points for you and your entire squad each time you attack or defend the marked objective.

Team play is key. If you're playing lone wolf, you'll always do worse than those playing with the team. Perform as many support actions as possible (handing out ammo, spotting, etc) in addition to kills, and stick with your squad for even additional squad support points.

Die with your tank. Getting out of it usually means your enemy killing you, stealing your tank, repairing it, and running off with it.

Tank drivers should always have repair tool equipped and ready to go; the gunner should always be looking out for infantry and mines. If your tank gets busted up, the driver should hop out and repair while the gunner fights off enemy engineers and support.

When you exit a vehicle, you exit in the direction you are facing. So, if you want to exit via the back of the tank to repair and avoid being shot by oncoming enemy fire in front, face backwards first, then exit.

There's little time to revive teammates, so the Sprint spec is recommended if you go with the Defib.

BF3 supports bullet drop, meaning your bullets and missiles will 'fall' over time -- the longer the distance of your shot, the bigger the drop. Aim accordingly.

Hide lasers and flashlights with T / up arrow when far from the enemy to avoid drawing attention to yourself, and when near teammates to avoid blinding them. If near teammates and the enemy, find a spot out of the way of your teammates, or flank the enemy.

Use the various fire modes (V / down arrow) for short, medium, and long distances, respectively.

Mortars can shoot smoke (hit '2' on PC or right on the D-pad on console).

AT mines can be destroyed with rifle bullets, frag rounds, shotgun slugs, or explosives. They can also be disarmed by Engineers.

AT mines persist after death, but only 6 can be placed at once (dropping new ones will remove old ones).

You can kill with the defib -- simply hold the button down and aim for the upper chest area.

Ammo and medpacks stick to vehicles when thrown at them. Be sure to throw one on for potential crazy points.

Hit the prone or crouch button as soon as you are revived if you want to be revived in that position (and avoid enemy fire).

Mobile spawns disappear each time you spawn on them.

If you are revived before you are able to select your kit, deaths won't count.

Counter mortar with the Flak/Squad Flak spec and suppressors.

N key on PC will make the minimap zoom in/out; M provides a larger view, which is especially handy for when piloting air vehicles.

The AMTRAC serves as a mobile spawn for your whole team, so keep it alive at all costs, and do NOT drive it directly into the heat of battle.

The AMTRAC is equipped with smoke by default, so use it when being locked, or when you need heavy cover for repairs.

Using the M320 smoke launcher is an effective way to provide cover while reviving a large or small number of teammates. It's generally advised enemies are at mid-range, however.

Contents

Spot everything forever, and spot before you kill (Q on PC; select/back on console).

If you are first on the list in your squad and have a star next to your name, this means you are a squad leader. As such, you MUST mark objectives (Q on PC; back/select on console) to inform your squadmates of where to go. It also racks up plenty of points for you and your entire squad each time you attack or defend the marked objective.

Team play is key. If you're playing lone wolf, you'll always do worse than those playing with the team. Perform as many support actions as possible (handing out ammo, spotting, etc) in addition to kills, and stick with your squad for even additional squad support points.

Die with your tank. Getting out of it usually means your enemy killing you, stealing your tank, repairing it, and running off with it.

Tank drivers should always have repair tool equipped and ready to go; the gunner should always be looking out for infantry and mines. If your tank gets busted up, the driver should hop out and repair while the gunner fights off enemy engineers and support.

When you exit a vehicle, you exit in the direction you are facing. So, if you want to exit via the back of the tank to repair and avoid being shot by oncoming enemy fire in front, face backwards first, then exit.

There's little time to revive teammates, so the Sprint spec is recommended if you go with the Defib.

BF3 supports bullet drop, meaning your bullets and missiles will 'fall' over time -- the longer the distance of your shot, the bigger the drop. Aim accordingly.

Hide lasers and flashlights with T / up arrow when far from the enemy to avoid drawing attention to yourself, and when near teammates to avoid blinding them. If near teammates and the enemy, find a spot out of the way of your teammates, or flank the enemy.

Use the various fire modes (V / down arrow) for short, medium, and long distances, respectively.

Mortars can shoot smoke (hit '2' on PC or right on the D-pad on console).

AT mines can be destroyed with rifle bullets, frag rounds, shotgun slugs, or explosives. They can also be disarmed by Engineers.

AT mines persist after death, but only 6 can be placed at once (dropping new ones will remove old ones).

You can kill with the defib -- simply hold the button down and aim for the upper chest area.

Ammo and medpacks stick to vehicles when thrown at them. Be sure to throw one on for potential crazy points.

Hit the prone or crouch button as soon as you are revived if you want to be revived in that position (and avoid enemy fire).

Mobile spawns disappear each time you spawn on them.

If you are revived before you are able to select your kit, deaths won't count.

Counter mortar with the Flak/Squad Flak spec and suppressors.

N key on PC will make the minimap zoom in/out; M provides a larger view, which is especially handy for when piloting air vehicles.

The AMTRAC serves as a mobile spawn for your whole team, so keep it alive at all costs, and do NOT drive it directly into the heat of battle.

The AMTRAC is equipped with smoke by default, so use it when being locked, or when you need heavy cover for repairs.

Using the M320 smoke launcher is an effective way to provide cover while reviving a large or small number of teammates. It's generally advised enemies are at mid-range, however.